Tips for working at home

Running a business or working from home offers many distractions, potentially leaving the home office cluttered. Here are a few of the most important areas and ways to organize.

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Running a business or working from home offers many distractions, potentially leaving the home office cluttered. Here are a few of the most important areas and ways to organize.

- Start with your desk.

Remove everything from the desk except the necessities, such as your computer, phone, and printer. Next, sort through every piece of paper removed from the desk and decide how important and often you use this document.

While some of us like to collect office supplies, including pens, highlighters, markers, safety clips, and rubber bands, you may not be using all of these items. It may be best to discard or give away the extra items that you do not use to keep your space free of unnecessary clutter.

Place a calendar near your computer; this may help you stay on track and remember important client milestones.

- Capitalize on the power of technology.

Accounting or business software that will help automate a variety of tasks, including: managing cash flow, tracking inventory, and invoicing. Many companies offer free trials for you to assess the ease of use and features that would best fit your business.

Contact management software can help you keep track of significant client milestones, maintain client history notes, and help streamline processes.

- Store things digitally.

Establishing an organized, electronic filing system permits work to be completed proficiently and timely while allowing you to quickly locate and virtually share documents. For documents untouched for months or years, consider scanning the document to be stored in your computer files and then discarded.

- Submitted by Nancy Harris, senior vice-president and general manager for Sage 50

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